MyPlace Help Site

Make a Podcast

Introduction

The world changed in the mid 90s with the Web and once more in the mid 00’s when podcasting blitzed onto the scene. Originally a clever way to send larger audio files as RSS feeds, a grassroots community took early advantage of the one-to-millions ability to produce their own programs. This heyday of creativity and mom-and-pop stardom shifted literally overnight when Apple added podcasts to its iTunes Music Store. Although many of the original players got shuffled off to the side by the broadcast industry, learning and education are beneficiaries. The ABC in Australia podcasts virtually every program, even grouping them in EdPod fortnightly. Stanford University also makes its lectures and keynotes available. Of course all the great science providers like NASA, National Geographic and NOVA also contribute. The best thing is that many are also posting video presentations that can become rich learning objects in the hands of a creative teacher. In fact, over a dozen TED Talks have been collected for use in MyPlace.

Making Podcasts

It helps to have examples and two great ones jump to mind. Radio Willow Web is the clear leader in integrating podcasts and video casts into classroom life. This is Tony Vincent’s work and he’s also made a fantastic Podcasting resource site called Learning in Hand. Use his site to gather ideas and materials to plan how you could use podcasting to promote advanced learning and fun! The second stellar example is Mabryonline.org – Mabry Middle School in Georgia. Principal Dr. Tim Tyson is a true leader in harnessing the excitement that buzzes between students and technology and channeling it toward “irresistible learning.”